Accommodation

Sossusvlei: Namib Desert Lodge Gondwana Collection Namibia (2 nights)

Set below striking fossilized dunes, the comfortable lodge provides a spectacular experience of the ancient desert. 65 rooms, two swimming pools, and a waterhole are surrounded by sandy splendor. Breathe in the grandeur on a sunset drive and feel the earth underfoot. Relax in the arms of the Namib.

Location: Approximately 60 km north of Sesriem on the C19.

Swakopmund: Atlantic Garden Boutique Hotel (2 nights)

Atlantic Garden Boutique Hotel is a brand-new hotel that opened its doors in October 2019. It is conveniently situated in the center of Swakopmund next to the historical building of the “Altes Amtsgericht” within walking distance of the beach (approx. 185 m). Relax on the terrace overlooking the garden after an action-packed day and enjoy the fresh and feel-good atmosphere of this contemporary hotel.

Program

One of the destinations visited on this holiday is the Namib Desert, the oldest desert on the planet, with its huge red dunes. The place is really worth every effort made to visit. The desert offers one of the highest dunes on earth with breathtaking views from the top. You will see Sossusvlei, Dune 45, Sesriem canyon and deadvlei.

Swakopmund on the other side is Namibia’s prime tourist destination with its authentic palm-lined streets, seaside walkways, and a lovely summer climate. It is perfectly a sand and sea destination not forgetting the perfect decent beaches it offers.

Itinerary

Day 1: Namib Desert Lodge Gondwana Collection Namibia, Sossusvlei

Collection time is between 08:00 and 08:30 from anywhere in Windhoek. Windhoek is surrounded by mountains and you have to pass over both the Eros Mountains and the Khomas Hochland Range. As you travel through this splendid landscape, you drop down from the central plateau to the grassy desert savannah. You stop at Solitaire for petrol and perhaps also afternoon tea before you continue to the lodge. You aim to arrive in the early afternoon. Later in the afternoon, you will join an afternoon sundowner drive with the lodge.

Included: Lunch and dinner, afternoon sundowner drive

Day 2: Namib Desert Lodge Gondwana Collection Namibia, Sossusvlei

You make an early start to catch the soft light of sunrise over the desert. In the cool of the morning, you take a walk through the desert with a good chance of seeing gemsbok, springbok, and ostrich.

You spend the morning in and around Sossusvlei. This iconic landscape is made up of white plains and red dunes which tower majestically against a deep blue sky and are among the highest in the world. You will visit the picturesque Dead Vlei. This white clay pan lies between towering orange dunes and is dotted with the skeletal remains of hundreds of dead camelthorn trees, making it a striking vista and a photographer's dream.

You will stop at the famous Dune 45, a beautiful star dune that reaches over 170 meters in height. Those who feel fit enough to climb the dune will be rewarded with breathtaking views of the surrounding Namibian desert. You will have lunch at Sossusvlei Lodge.

As the day cools down, you will enjoy a short excursion to Sesriem Canyon before heading back to the lodge.

Included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner, park fees, and excursions with your guide (Dead Vlei, Dune 45, Sesriem Canyon hike, and Sossusvlei).

Day 3: Atlantic Garden Boutique Hotel, Swakopmund

Namibia is a land of contrasts. Today you will move from desert to sea, crossing the Tropic of Capricorn and traversing the Gaub and Kuiseb passes. As you climb out of the dry river bed at the bottom of Kuiseb Canyon, a spectacular desert landscape will unfold before you.

You will stop over in Walvis Bay to enjoy the sight of flamingos and other birds in the lagoon and visit the salt works. Then, you will continue to Swakopmund. This town is still home to many descendants of the late colonists and state officials of the German colonial era. Beautiful old German colonial buildings, and cafés where you can enjoy not only German hospitality but also famous German cakes are found in the town center.

Dinner will be at a local restaurant and is included in the tour. Overnight in a hotel in Swakopmund.

Included: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner, Tropic of Capricorn, Walvis Bay Lagoon

Day 4: Atlantic Garden Boutique Hotel, Swakopmund

In the morning, you will visit the vast seal colony at Cape Cross, north of Swakopmund. Here you can get up close to thousands of wild Cape fur seals and observe them in their natural environment.

Swakopmund is a charming seaside town characterized by German colonial architecture, palm-lined streets, great restaurants, plenty of shops, and beautiful beaches. You will be free to explore this town for the rest of the day. It offers plenty to do including a good museum and aquarium.

Various optional activities can also be arranged. These include a boat tour (with oysters and champagne), scenic flights and micro-light flights over the desert, fishing trips (either from the beach or a boat), quad-biking in the desert, sandboarding, and skydiving. Your guide will discuss all your options and offer to make pre-bookings. Note that all extra activities in Swakopmund are subject to availability and are made at the client's own risk and expense.

Included: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner, Seal Colony excursion with your guide, entrance fees

Day 5: End of Itinerary

Today, you will depart Swakopmund around 8:30 a.m. The drive takes you back to Windhoek. On the way there, you can stop in Okahandja to buy some hand-carved souvenirs, baskets, and jewelry at the big handcraft market. You will be dropped off at your accommodation in Windhoek.

Included: Breakfast and lunch, transfer back to Windhoek

Location

Namibia

Located in southwestern Africa, Namibia boasts a well-developed infrastructure, some of the best tourist facilities in Africa, and an impressive list of breathtaking natural wonders. Visitors can explore the capital of Windhoek and discover the lovely coastal town of Swakopmund boasting remnants of the country’s German influence, reflected in the architecture, culture, cuisine, and the annual Oktoberfest celebrations.

To properly appreciate this extraordinary country, you will have to venture out of the cities to explore the remarkable natural landscapes Namibia has to offer. These include: the impressive Fish River Canyon; the vast Etosha National Park teeming with abundant wildlife, such as lions, desert-adapted elephants, and the Hartmann's Mountain Zebra; the hauntingly beautiful Kalahari Desert; and of course the Namib Desert stretching for over 2000 km along the magnificent Atlantic Coast.

Namibia is an ideal destination for travelers seeking an unforgettable African experience in a uniquely beautiful untamed wilderness.

Sossusvlei

Located in the scenic Namib-Naukluft National Park, Sossusvlei is where you will find the iconic red dunes of the Namib. The clear blue skies contrast with the giant red dunes to make this one of the most scenic natural wonders of Africa and a photographer's heaven.

This awe-inspiring destination is possibly Namibia's premier attraction, with its unique dunes rising to almost 400 meters - making them some of the highest in the world. These iconic dunes come alive in morning and evening light and draw photography enthusiasts from around the globe.

Sossusvlei is home to a variety of desert wildlife including oryx, springbok, ostrich, and a variety of reptiles. Visitors can climb 'Big Daddy', one of Sossusvlei’s tallest dunes; explore Deadvlei, a white, salty, claypan dotted with ancient trees; or for the more extravagant, scenic flights and hot air ballooning on offer, followed by a once-in-a-lifetime champagne breakfast amidst these majestic dunes.

Dune 45

Named for its location 45 kilometers past the town of Sesriem, Dune 45 is renowned for its elegant shape, which – along with its position close to the road – has earned it the distinction of ‘most photographed dune in the world’. If you’re not keen on the strenuous hike to the top of Big Daddy, Dune 45 is a more forgiving alternative, standing at only 80 meters and featuring a much gentler gradient.

Dead Vlei

This ancient clay pan was once an oasis, studded with acacias and fed by a river that suddenly changed course, leaving the earth to dry up along with the trees it previously supported. So dry were the climatic conditions that the trees never decomposed – instead they were entirely leached of moisture so that today, 900 years later, they remain as desiccated, blackened sentinels dotting the pan’s cracked surface. Surrounded by the red-pink dunes of the Namibia Desert, they create a surreal spectacle that is a photographer's dream.

Sesriem Canyon

Sesriem Canyon is a captivating natural wonder located in the heart of the Namib Desert in Namibia. Carved over millions of years by the Tsauchab River, this narrow gorge is a testament to the power of erosion. The name Sesriem comes from the Afrikaans and Dutch words for six leather straps, which early pioneers used tied together to draw water from the deep pools within the canyon.

Sesriem Canyon is not only a geological marvel but also a haven for unique desert flora and fauna, making it a popular stop for tourists exploring the surreal landscapes of the Namib Desert.

Swakopmund

Set along Namibia's spectacularly scenic coast, the seaside town of Swakopmund is known for its wide-open avenues, colonial architecture, and its surrounding otherworldly desert terrain. Founded in 1892 as the main harbor for German South-West Africa, Swakopmund is often described as being more German than the country Germany.

Now a seaside resort town, Swakopmund is the capital of the Skeleton Coast tourism area and has plenty to keep visitors happy. The quirky mix of German and Namibian influences, adventure options, laid-back atmosphere, and cool sea breeze make it a very popular Namibian destination. Visitors can look forward to several exciting activities including quad biking, horse riding, paragliding, fishing, sightseeing, and fascinating desert tours.

Tropic of Capricorn

Located just South of Walvis Bay in Solitaire, is the approximate latitude of the Tropic of Capricorn at 23.5 degrees South. The Tropic of Capricorn is one of the 5 major circles of latitude and the southernmost point of latitude from where the sun can be seen directly overhead. This point of latitude runs through many other countries such as Brazil, Mozambique, and Australia to name a few.

Walvis Bay Lagoon

Walvis Bay’s calm natural lagoon is a twitcher’s paradise, teeming with roughly 50 species of seabirds, including vivid flocks of flamingos, bulky-billed pelicans, and glossy black cormorants. It’s also a popular spot for windsurfing, kitesurfing, and kayaking, while the promenade stretching for three kilometers along the water’s edge is a great place for a scenic stroll.

Cape Cross Seal Colony

This colony of Cape Fur Seals is one of the largest in the world, home to approximately 80,000 to 100,000 of these so-called 'seals', which are actually a species of sea lion. Day trips to the colony are offered and the seals can be viewed from a walkway at a distance of roughly 200 metres.

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Food

You will be provided daily meals as specified in the itinerary. Namibia is a hot country, so drink lots of liquids. Most of the tap water in Namibia is purified and safe to drink. The guide will advise when to drink bottled water. All alcoholic drinks and any other special requirements will be on your own account at all times.

The following meals are included:

Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner

The following dietary requirement(s) are served and/or catered for:

Regular (typically includes meat and fish)

If you have special dietary requirements it's a good idea to communicate it to the organiser when making a reservation

What's included

Professional local guide (English speaking)
4 nights accommodation as listed or similar
3 meals a day unless otherwise specified
All park fees.
All activities mentioned
Passenger liability insurance
Air-conditioned 4x4 tour and safari vehicle
VAT is included in the price
Mineral water on vehicles at all times
Passenger liability insurance

What's not included

Beverages (alcohol, soft drinks, etc.)
Tips
Personal insurance
Other personal items
Airfare

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Sossusvlei: Namib Desert Lodge Gondwana Collection Namibia (2 nights)