Day 1 - Flight to Namibia
A scheduled overnight flight from London Heathrow, via Johannesburg to Windhoek with South African Airways begins your camping adventure in Namibia's southern desert areas.
Includes dinner on the plane.
Day 2 - Windhoek
You will land in Namibia at about midday. After being met and transferred to a comfortable guesthouse you have time to relax by the pool or explore the town. You have the choice of dining out at one of Windhoek's very good restaurants or ordering in at your accommodation.
Includes breakfast on the plane.
Day 3 - Quiver Tree Forest
Breakfast is served at the guesthouse before you are met between 07.30 and 08.00 and transferred to the Windhoek office where you will meet your safari guide and group. Stock up with cool drinks and head south, over the Tropic of Capricorn. You aim to arrive at the fascinating Quiver Tree Forest during the mid afternoon. In fact these weird, skeletal quiver trees aren't trees at all, but a type of tree aloe. Although single quiver trees can be found throughout southern Namibia, these trees are one of the world's rarest flora species and it is extremely unusual to have a forest of quiver trees.
Windhoek - Quiver Tree Forest: approx. 6 hours (600km)
Includes breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Day 4 - Fish River Canyon
After breakfast you'll visit the nearby site known as the 'Giant's Playground'. Gigantic eroded dolerite rocks balance precariously on top of each other in fascinating tower formations which you can wander through and photograph. Then head south, making a short stop in the town of Keetmanshoop for fuel and supplies on the way. You aim to arrive at the impressive Fish River Canyon in time for a picnic lunch at the main viewpoint. Carved out by erosion over millions of years, this is arguably the world's second-largest canyon of its kind, after Arizona's Grand Canyon and you'll be afforded stunning vistas from this vantage point. Drive further south where you'll camp at Ai Ais Resort near to some warm springs, often with time for a swim in the afternoon.
Quiver Tree Forest - Fish River Canyon: approx. 4 hours (260km)
Includes breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Day 5 - Aus
There's often the opportunity for another dip in the springs or for a walk along the Fish River bed in the morning. You begin by driving further south to Namibia's border with South Africa, before turning west and stopping for lunch along the Orange River. The road cuts a swathe through rocky desert environments and past the remote outposts of Rosh Pinah and Skorpion on the way to the small town of Aus. Your campsite for the next two nights is near here, at a stunning spot on the edge of the escarpment.
Fish River Canyon - Aus: approx. 4½ hours (340km)
Includes breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Day 6 - Lüderitz /Aus
Make an early start driving alongside the Sperrgebiet, the forbidden diamond-mining zone, and across your first sand dunes to the historic old German town of Lüderitz. An excellent optional boat cruise (about UK Sterling GB£20) is available on the traditional schooner Sedina, in search of the ocean's rich bird and marine life, including African penguins and heaviside dolphins.
Later you'll visit Kolmanskop, a deserted boomtown from the early 20th century that is slowly being swallowed by the desert. You are free to sample Lüderitz's famous seafood for lunch, before an afternoon trip to explore the peninsula and the historic Diaz Point. Driving back to your adventure camp, there is usually a stop to see the amazing wild horses that live along with oryx in the Namib.
Aus - Lüderitz - Aus: approx. 3 hours (300km)
Includes breakfast and dinner.
Day 7 - Namib-Naukluft Park
Today you head north along the edge of the Namib Desert. This is unquestionably one of the country's most spectacular drives, with fabulous vistas at every turn. There is time to stop for lunch at a Nama cultural initiative near to the town of Maltahohe. A local guide will introduce you to these interesting people who speak a Khoisan language (with clicks). You will discover a little of their lifestyle and traditions and perhaps watch a short play or dance routine preformed by the local school children. Arts and crafts made by the villagers are available and, because everyone benefits from your visit, the atmosphere is friendly and welcoming.
You aim to arrive at your campsite on the edge of the desert during the late afternoon, in time to watch the colours glow and change on the distant mountains to the east.
Aus - Namib Desert Camp: approx. 5 hours (400km)
Includes breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Day 8 - Namib-Naukluft Park
Rising well before dawn, you drive deep into the desert, home to some of the world's highest dunes and stunning scenery. The shifting, contrasting patterns of light and shadow on these dunes are always enthralling. After breakfast in the desert you continue through breathtaking scenery to some of the world's highest dunes at Sossusvlei. Spend the morning exploring, marvelling at the surroundings and the wildlife. Climbing up these magnificent dunes then running back down them is a real adventure!
After lunch at Sesriem, you drive a short way to visit Sesriem Canyon: a deep, narrow gorge where the force of the ephemeral Tsauchab River has sculpted extraordinary shapes from the rock. Then you return to your campsite.
Desert Camp - Sossusvlei - Desert Camp: approx. 3 hours (240km)
Includes breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Day 9 - Windhoek
Driving back to Windhoek, you'll pass through more stunning scenery as the road climbs up and over the escarpment and on to the Central Highlands of Namibia. You arrive back at your guesthouse around 16.00. You are free to relax this evening, although the group and guide often arrange to meet up for a farewell dinner to end this superb camping adventure in Namibia.
Desert Camp to Windhoek: approx. 5½ hours (350km)
Includes breakfast and lunch.
Day 10 - Flight to London
After some free time to explore Windhoek, you are collected from your guesthouse and driven to the airport in time to depart on your scheduled flight to London.
Includes breakfast and dinner is on the plane.
Day 11 - Arrive in London
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