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Note: Some alterations made to the Southern Namibia Desert Adventure will come into affect for all departures after the 28th March 2012. These carefully considered changes have been made to the itinerary in order to enhance the experiences travellers have on this Namibia safari even further. The first itinerary listed below is valid for travel in 2011 and up until the 27th March 2012. Scroll down the page to see the safari itinerary for departures after the 28th March 2012.
Southern Namibia Desert Adventure - Dec 11 to 27 March 2012
Day 1 - Flight to Namibia
Begin your adventure with a scheduled overnight flight with South African Airways from London, via Johannesburg, landing in Windhoek the following day.
Includes dinner on the flight.
Day 2 - Windhoek
On arrival in Windhoek, you are met at the airport and transferred to a comfortable guesthouse in one of the capitals central suburbs. Take some time to recuperate this afternoon by relaxing by the pool or taking a leisurely wander to explore around the city centre. Dinner is at your own expense and there are plenty of good restaurants to choose from, or alternatively you may prefer to order in at the guesthouse. Just ask the helpful staff at reception who will assist you with options.
Includes breakfast on the flight.
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 safari base where you will meet your guide and group. Stock up with cool drinks and drive south, over the Tropic of Capricorn and alongside the western edge of the Kalahari Desert. You aim to arrive and set up camp beside the fascinating Quiver Tree Forest during the mid-afternoon. In fact the striking and bizarre looking quiver trees found here aren't trees at all, but a type of aloe. The common name arose from the Bushmen's traditional use of the hollow braches to store their quivers. These aloes are one of the world's rarest flora species and although single quiver trees can be found dotted throughout southern Namibia, it is extremely unusual to find a forest of them such as this.
Windhoek to Quiver Tree Forest: approx. 6 hours (500km)
Includes breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Day 4 - Fish River Canyon
After breakfast you'll visit a nearby attraction known as the 'Giant's Playground'. Gigantic eroded dolerite rocks balance precariously on top of each other in fascinating tower formations as if placed by a giant. Then head south, possibly 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. You'll be afforded stunning vistas into the depths of the canyon from this vantage point along the rim. 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 to Fish River Canyon: approx. 4 hours (250km)
Includes breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Day 5 - Aus
You begin by driving further south to Namibia's border with South Africa, before turning west and stopping for lunch along the bank of the attractive Orange River. The road cuts a swathe through rocky desert environments, past the remote outpost of Rosh Pinah and continues on 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 overlooking vast views of Sperrgebiet National Park.
Fish River Canyon to Aus: approx. 5 hours (330km)
Includes breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Day 6 - Luderitz / Aus
Make an early start to drive westwards alongside the Sperrgebiet, formerly a forbidden diamond mining zone that was proclaimed a National Park in 2008. You keep a sharp look out for the Namib Deserts unique wild horses and cross breath-taking vistas before passing your first coastal sand dunes to reach the historic Germanic town of Luderitz. An excellent optional boat cruise (about GBP 29 / US 45) is available on the traditional schooner Sedina, which (weather permitting) sails to Halifax Island to see the Atlantic Ocean's rich bird and marine life, including African penguins and heaviside dolphins.
Immediately after the cruise you'll visit Kolmanskop, once a wealthy diamond boomtown established in the 1920's. Since it was deserted in the 1950's, Kolmanskop has become a ghost town battered by the desert elements and encroaching sands. For lunch you are free to sample Luderitz's cafes and seafood, and look around the interesting colonial architecture before an afternoon drive to explore the peninsula and historic Diaz Point. Driving back inland to your camp near Aus, there is usually a stop to see the wild horses that inhabit the arid Namib Desert along with desert-adapted game such as oryx and ostrich.
Aus to Luderitz to Aus: approx. 3 hours (250km)
Includes breakfast and dinner.
Day 7 - Namib-Naukluft Park
Today you head north along the edge of the southern Namib Desert through some of Namibia's most spectacular scenery, with fabulous vistas at every turn. There is time to stop for lunch at a Nama cultural initiative near the town of Maltahohe. A local guide will introduce you to these friendly 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 performed by the local school children. Arts and crafts made by the community are available to purchase 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 set up camp and then relax and enjoy sundowners whilst watching the sunset colours glow and fade on the Naukluft Mountains.
Aus to Namib Desert Camp: approx. 5.5 hours (400km)
Includes breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Day 8 - Namib-Naukluft Park
Rising well before dawn, you drive to Sesriem to enter the Namib-Naukluft National Park at sunrise and continue deep into the desert to reach Sossusvlei. This area is home to some of the world's highest sand dunes and the scenery is truly incredible. The shifting, contrasting patterns of early morning light and shadow on these dunes are always enthralling. Whilst it is still cool, you stop for breakfast and an invigorating climb to the crest of one of these magnificent apricot coloured dunes. As you explore this area further on foot, your guide will show you the surprising variety of flora and fauna that has adapted to survive this arid environment. You return to Sesriem for lunch, after which a short drive takes you to Sesriem Canyon where the force of the ephemeral Tsauchab River has formed a deep, narrow gorge into the surrounding rock. You then return to your campsite in the afternoon for some well-deserved leisure time.
Desert Camp to Sossusvlei to Desert Camp: approx. 3.5 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. You arrive back at your guesthouse at around 16.00. You are free to relax this evening, although the group often arrange to meet up for a farewell dinner to end this superb camping adventure in Namibia.
Desert Camp to Windhoek: approx. 5.5 hours (315km)
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 overnight flight to London, via Johannesburg.
Includes breakfast and dinner is on the plane.
Day 11 - Arrive in London
Southern Namibia Desert Adventure - from 28 March 2012
Day 1 - Flight to Namibia
Begin your adventure with a scheduled overnight flight with South African Airways from London, via Johannesburg, landing in Windhoek the following day.
Includes dinner on the flight.
Day 2 - Windhoek
On arrival in Windhoek, you are met at the airport and transferred to a comfortable guesthouse in one of the capitals central suburbs. Take some time to recuperate this afternoon by relaxing by the pool or taking a leisurely wander to explore around the city centre. Dinner is at your own expense and there are plenty of good restaurants to choose from, or alternatively you may prefer to order in at the guesthouse. Just ask the helpful staff at reception who will assist you with options.
Includes breakfast on the flight.
Day 3 - Namib-Naukluft Park
You will be collected from your guesthouse between 07.30 and 08.00 after an early breakfast. Transferring to the safari base, you'll meet your guide, camp assistant and fellow travellers before setting off. Begin by driving south and then west through the Khomas Hochland Highlands and down the escarpment by way of the picturesque Remhoogte Pass. Before reaching the desert you'll stop at the tiny outpost of Solitaire with time to visit the interesting N/a'an ku se Namib Conservation Centre. The centre is part of an ongoing carnivore conservation research project set up to learn about predator populations in the greater Namib Desert area. Their work includes looking at ways to help solve conflicts where wildlife and humans live alongside each other, the reintroduction and rehabilitation of trapped or injured carnivores into 'safe' areas, and educating visitors on the conservation of cheetahs, leopards and hyena in southern Namibia.
After this interesting stopover, you'll travel on to your first campsite on the edge of the desert with the Naukluft Mountains creating a striking backdrop. Once you have pitched your tent you can relax and enjoy watching the colours glow and change over the attractive surroundings.
Windhoek to Desert Camp: approx. 5.5 hours (315km)
Includes breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Day 4 - Namib-Naukluft Park
Rising well before dawn, you drive to the Sesriem gate to enter the Namib-Naukluft National Park at sunrise and continue deep into the desert to reach Sossusvlei. This area is home to some of the world's highest sand dunes and the scenery is truly incredible. The shifting, contrasting patterns of early morning light and shadow on these dunes are always enthralling. Whilst it is still cool, you stop for breakfast and an invigorating climb to the crest of one of these magnificent apricot coloured dunes. As you explore this area further on foot, your guide will show you the surprising variety of flora and fauna that has adapted to survive this arid environment. You return to Sesriem for lunch, after which a short drive takes you to Sesriem Canyon where the force of the ephemeral Tsauchab River has formed a deep, narrow gorge into the surrounding rock. You then return to your campsite in the afternoon for some well-deserved leisure time.
Desert Camp to Sossusvlei to Desert Camp: approx. 2.5 hours (120km)
Includes breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Day 5 - Luderitz
Today you travel south along the eastern edge of the desert on one of Namibia's most spectacular drives, with fabulous panoramas at every turn. Then, turning west, you'll traverse a remote road alongside the Sperrgebiet, formerly a forbidden diamond mining zone that was proclaimed a National Park in 2008. Late in the afternoon you'll arrive in the quirky town of Luderitz. There's a little time to explore this remote outpost on the Atlantic's desert coastline, a fascinating town steeped in German colonial history and architecture, before dinner at one of the local restaurants. The meal will be for your own account and sampling some of the delicious fresh seafood is recommended.
Desert Camp to Luderitz: approx. 6 hours (480km)
Includes breakfast and lunch.
Day 6 - Fish River Canyon
After breakfast, you'll drive a short way inland to Kolmanskop, a once wealthy diamond boomtown established in the 1920's. Since it was deserted in the 1950's, Kolmanskop has become a ghost town battered by the desert elements and encroaching sands. Driving further inland, there is usually a stop to see the wild horses that inhabit the arid Namib Desert along with desert-adapted game such as oryx and ostrich.
Your destination today is the remarkable Fish River Canyon and upon arriving you'll head straight for its best viewpoint. Wandering along the rim gives you the opportunity to photograph stunning vistas of this incredible chasm and the Fish River far below. 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. A little further on you'll set up camp and stop for the night.
Luderitz to Fish River Canyon: approx. 5.5 hours (420km)
Includes breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Day 7 - Mesosaurus Fossil Camp
After driving for some time this morning you'll reach the largest town in southern Namibia, Keetmanshoop. Founded in 1860, the town retains remnants of its original German architecture which you might see as you pause here to stock up on supplies and fill up with fuel. A little more than half an hour's drive further on you'll arrive at the Mesosaurus Fossil Camp. This site is thought to be one of the best examples proving the dividing of the continents. The same fossilised species located in the same type of rock formations found here can also be found in South America. A highlight here is a nearby quiver tree forest. In fact the striking and bizarre looking quiver trees aren't trees at all, but a type of aloe. The common name arose from the Bushmen's traditional use of the hollow branches to store their arrows and tools. These aloes are one of the world's rarest flora species and although single quiver trees can be found dotted throughout southern Namibia, it is extremely unusual to find a forest of them such as this.
Fish River Canyon to Mesosaurus Fossil Camp: approx. 3 hours (220km)
Includes breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Day 8 - Kalahari
Leaving Namibia's deep south you'll head north-east, travelling through the narrow piece of Kalahari Desert that protrudes from Botswana into eastern Namibia. This relatively dry, yet picturesque, landscape is characterised by ancient dunes of red coloured sand, running parallel and covered in waving grasses. The sand dunes are separated by valleys known as 'streets' and tonight's campsite at Bagatelle Kalahari Game Ranch is set in one of these.
Mesosaurus Fossil Camp to Bagatelle Ranch: approx. 4 hours (310km)
Includes breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Day 9 - Windhoek
In the morning there's time to enjoy a morning walk amongst the red Kalahari sand dunes. Making the most of the cool morning air you'll explore the unique topography and vegetation typical of the area, perhaps spotting some of the wildlife that lives here such as the delightful meerkat or the stately oryx. Returning to Windhoek, you'll usually arrive back by mid-afternoon. You are free to relax this evening, although the group often arrange to meet up for a farewell dinner to end this superb camping adventure in Namibia.
Bagatelle Ranch to Windhoek: approx. 4 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 overnight flight to London, via Johannesburg.
Includes breakfast and dinner is on the plane.
Day 11 - Arrive in London
Arrive in London after a memorable camping adventure holiday in Namibia's scenic south.
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