9-DAY NAMIBIA DESERT ENCOUNTER

Kalahari Desert - Nama Karoo - Sossusvlei - Namib Naukluft Park

Adventure through Namibia’s Ancient Sands

This unusual journey through four distinctive deserts takes you on a tour that seamlessly blends remote, historical towns and the fascinating semi-arid and arid biomes of Namibia.

Highlights

• Sundowner drive through the scenic red dunes of the Kalahari Desert.

• Exploring the flora and fauna of the Nama Karoo and Succulent Karoo deserts around the spectacular Fish River Canyon.

• Namib-Nauklauft National Park, stunning Sossusvlei, Dead Vlei and Sesriem Canyon.

Day One Depart Windhoek

After a city tour of Windhoek, travel south over Namibia’s second highest mountain range to the edge of the Kalahari Desert.

Day One

Remainder of the day is at leisure. Overnight Kalahari Desert. [D]

Day Two

Morning walk (unguided, for own account) or relax at the pool. Enjoy a sundowner drive in the red dunes of the Kalahari. Overnight Kalahari Desert. [BD]

Day Three

Travel to the Fish River Canyon in the heart of the Nama Karoo. Undertake a sundowner mountain walk. Overnight Fish River Canyon. [BD]

Day Four

Visit the rim of the Fish River Canyon and join a nature drive to observe the fragile plants and wildlife of the Nama Karoo. Overnight Fish River Canyon. [BD]

Day Five

Depart for Aus at the edge of the Succulent Karoo Desert – one of the 20 most important biomes in the world. Afternoon nature drive. Overnight at Aus. [BD]

Day Six

Take an excursion to the old diamond towns of Kolmanskop and Luederitz. En route back, stop at a watering point for the feral horses of the Namib. [BD]

Day Seven

Travel north into one of the oldest deserts on earth, the Namib Desert, and arrive in the late afternoon. Overnight near Namib Naukluft Park. [BD]

Day Eight

Early morning drive into the Namib Naukluft Park. Visit the dunes at Sossusvlei, Dead Vlei and the Sesriem Canyon. Explore the petrified dunes in the area of the lodge on the afternoon nature drive. Overnight near Namib Naukluft Park. [BD]

Day Nine

Travel back to Windhoek where the tour ends. [B]

Accommodation

Day One & Two

KALAHARI ANIB LODGE

Relax in a lush green oasis in the midst of vibrant red Kalahari sand dunes. Begin the day with a hearty buffet-style breakfast and then relax in the shaded courtyard and take a dip in the swimming pool. Alternatively, while away the time in the restaurant or bar, spend it watching vultures and marabou storks, or explore the Kalahari on foot by following one of the hiking trails.

Day Three & Four

CAŇON LODGE

Caňon Lodge is a stunning setting, built into its natural surroundings and sheltered by a granite hilltop overlooking the sweeping plains of Gondwana Caňon Park. Caňon Lodge serves as an excellent base from which to explore the beauty of the Fish River Canyon.

Day Five & Six

KLEIN AUS VISTA

Located in the remote Aus Mountains you are treated to grand vistas of mountain scenery and sweeping desert plains. Relax with sundowners on the deck before enjoying a meal in the restaurant, followed by a nightcap at the evocative Wild Horse Bar or around the cosy fireplace in the lounge.

Day Seven & Eight

NAMIB DESERT LODGE

The main building and chalets of Namib Desert Lodge are spread out along the foot of fossilised dunes of the ancient Namib desert. En-suite chalets are equipped with fans and mosquito nets. Linger at the restaurant and bar, enjoy the terrace with views of the fossilised dunes or take a dip in the sparkling swimming pool. Enjoy a sundowner watching desert oryx, known as ‘Gemsbok’ and springbok visiting the illuminated watering place nearby.