7 Day Namibia Camping Safari: Sossusvlei & Beyond

Day 1: Windhoek – Swakopmund, Namibia

Kick off your adventure in Windhoek! After a morning meet-up, we head west, passing charming towns like Okahandja, to reach the awe-inspiring Walvis Bay lagoon. A UNESCO wetland wonderland, this haven boasts over 50 bird species, including graceful flamingos. Witness these pink wonders up close and learn about their fascinating feeding habits.

Continuing our journey, we arrive in Swakopmund, a charming coastal town brimming with German colonial architecture. Explore the walkable town center or embark on thrilling optional activities like scenic desert flights, skydiving, or exhilarating quad bike adventures through the majestic Namib Dunes. Your guide will be happy to discuss these options and assist with bookings.

Tonight, enjoy Swakopmund’s culinary scene at your own pace. With a vast array of excellent restaurants, your guide can offer recommendations and assist with reservations. Soak in the coastal vibes and get ready for tomorrow’s exciting adventures!

Meals: Lunch and Dinner (for your own account)
Included Highlights: Walvis Bay, Skeleton Coast, Swakopmund,
Optional Activities: Scenic flights over the desert, sky diving, quad biking over and in the Namib dunes,
Distance: 420 km

Day 2: Swakopmund – Sesriem, Namibia

Swakopmund Exploration & Desert Delights: Sandboarding, Canyons & Sossusvlei Awaits!

Sleep in and explore charming Swakopmund at your leisure this morning. Feeling adventurous? Opt for an optional adrenaline rush with sandboarding – imagine carving down a dune at 60 km/h! (This activity is typically limited to mornings.)

By 11:30, we depart Swakopmund and delve into the Namib’s embrace. Traverse vast Namib gravel plains, occasionally punctuated by dramatic mountain inselbergs. Conquer two mighty passes: the Kuiseb Pass, offering breathtaking canyon views carved by the Kuiseb River, and the Gaub River Pass, a tributary leading to the Kuiseb.

Celebrate with a photo op at the Tropic of Capricorn, marked by a convenient signpost. Continue through the desert landscape to Solitaire, a tiny town famous for its legendary apple pie – a must-try!

Our final stop today is Sesriem, the gateway to Sossusvlei and its iconic dunes. Set up camp amidst the towering red giants of the world’s oldest desert, and get ready for an unforgettable day exploring Sossusvlei tomorrow!

Accommodation: Hotel A La Mer
Included Highlights: Solitaire, Sossusvlei, Sesriem
Optional Activities: Sand boarding
Distance: 350 km

Day 3: Sesriem, Namibia

Rise before dawn and embark on an unforgettable adventure! Our first stop is Dune 45, bathed in the ethereal glow of pre-dawn light. Ascend to a vantage point and witness the majestic dunes transform with the rising sun, the sand ablaze with fiery oranges and apricots.

After a quick breakfast, we continue the journey to Sossusvlei, traversing the ancient Tsauchab Riverbed on a 4×4 shuttle. Explore Deadvlei, a stark yet captivating landscape dotted with ancient, skeletal camelthorn trees standing sentinel for over 1,000 years. Feel the immensity of the desert as you climb one of the world’s highest dunes, soaking in breathtaking panoramic views.

Return to Sesriem camp for lunch and a refreshing dip in the pool. In the afternoon, we venture to Sesriem Canyon, carved by the Tsauchab River over millennia. Walk along the canyon floor, enveloped by cooler temperatures, and imagine the powerful forces that sculpted this natural wonder.

As the day draws to a close, embark on an optional excursion to Elim Dune, where the desert ignites in golden hues just before sunset. Enjoy a scenic walk back to camp under the vast Namibian sky, a perfect finale to an incredible day.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch,
Included Highlights: Dune 45, Sesriem Canyon, Tsauchab River, Deadvlei
Optional Activities: Excursion to Elim Dune
Distance: 120 km

Day 4: Sesriem – Klein Aus Vista, Namibia

Today’s scenic journey unfolds through ever-changing vistas – dramatic mountains and vast swathes of open grassland. We continue south, reaching the charming community of Aus, nestled amidst the Aus Mountains and overlooking the Namib Desert plains. Aus holds a piece of history, having served as a WWII prisoner-of-war camp for German soldiers by the South African army.

Our final destination today is Klein Aus Vista, located just outside Aus within the Gondwana Sperrgebiet Rand Park. Aiming for an early afternoon arrival, we’ll set up camp, allowing you time to explore the property’s unguided hiking trails and stretch your legs amidst the breathtaking scenery. As the sun dips below the horizon, soak in the magic of a spectacular desert sunset – the perfect prelude to your stay at Klein Aus Vista.

Included Highlights: Namib Desert, Klein Aus Vista
Distance: 350 km

Day 5: Klein Aus Vista – Luderitz, Namibia

Today’s adventure starts early, but the smooth, paved road makes for a relaxing journey. We traverse open grasslands and vast desert landscapes, keeping an eye out for the fascinating wild horses that roam freely here. Their origins remain a mystery – perhaps they descend from WWI German cavalry horses, or maybe they’re the descendants of Hans Heinrich von Wolf’s bloodstock escaping his stables in 1909. Spotting these majestic creatures in their natural habitat is a true privilege.

Our path leads to Kolmanskop, a ghost town located near the port town of Lüderitz. Fuelled by centuries of rumors about untold riches, prospectors finally struck gold (or rather, diamonds!) in the region. The first diamond mine, Kolmanskop, was established in 1908. Imagine a German village boasting cutting-edge amenities – a hospital with the first x-ray machine in the Southern Hemisphere, a power station, a school, a ballroom, and even an ice factory!

However, the diamond boom didn’t last. By the 1920s, the diamond reserves dwindled, and a richer deposit was discovered further south. Kolmanskop was abandoned, and the desert slowly reclaimed the town. Today, this preserved ghost town offers a unique glimpse into the past. A guided tour will bring the town’s history to life, and you’ll have ample opportunity to capture photos of this fascinating site.

After Kolmanskop, we continue the short journey to Lüderitz, known for its colorful colonial architecture. We’ll drive out to the Lüderitz peninsula and visit the historical monument at Diaz Point. Just like Cape Cross, this region was first claimed by Europeans in the 15th century, this time by Portuguese navigator Bartolomeu Diaz. He erected a stone cross here in 1487, naming the area “Angra das Voltas” (Bay of Tacks) due to the strong southerly winds he encountered – a testament to Lüderitz’s reputation as one of the windiest places on Earth!

With a renewed appreciation for the desert’s unique beauty and history, we return to Klein Aus Vista, keeping a watchful eye for the wild horses on the way. Enjoy a sundowner at the lodge, the perfect way to unwind after a day filled with discovery!

Included Highlights: Kolmanskop guided tour, Luderitz,
Distance: 250 km

Day 6: Klein Aus Vista – Quiver Tree , Namibia

Brace yourself for awe-inspiring landscapes! Today, we conquer a long yet comfortable drive on a tar road, venturing east before turning south to complete Namibia’s southern circuit.

Our first stop: the incredible Fish River Canyon, nestled within the /Ai-/Ais Richtersveldt Transfrontier National Park. Entering through the Hobas Gate, we reach the main lookout point in no time. Witness the sheer grandeur of this natural wonder – second only to the Grand Canyon in size! From our elevated vantage point, marvel at “Hell’s Bend,” a dramatic meander carved by the Fish River far below.

Imagine – this colossal gash in the Earth stretches 160 km long, reaching a width of 27 km and a depth of 550 meters at its most impressive points. Over 1.8 billion years of geological history sculpted this masterpiece, a testament to seismic forces, volcanic eruptions, glacial activity, and relentless erosion. The mighty Fish River, glinting in the sunlight, continues its relentless task of deepening this natural wonder.

Bidding farewell to this breathtaking sight, we journey onwards, marking the end of our southern leg. Next stop: Keetmanshoop, the bustling commercial hub of Namibia’s south. After a brief stop, we arrive at our final campsite – the Quiver Tree Forest.

These fascinating plants, Namibia’s National Tree, aren’t actually trees at all! The quiver tree, scientifically known as Aloidendron Dichotomum (formerly Aloe Dichotoma), is a giant aloe. The San people used the scaly bark to craft quivers for their poisoned arrows, hence the name. Standing tall with their “weird and wonderful” shapes, this collection of around 250 quiver trees/aloes is estimated to be up to 300 years old.

As we gather around the campfire for our last night, let the memories of this incredible adventure come flooding back. From the vast Namib Desert to the awe-inspiring Fish River Canyon, Namibia’s wonders have truly left their mark.

Included Highlights: Fish River Canyon, Quiver Tree Forest,
Distance: 550 km

Day 7: Quiver Tree Forest – Windhoek, Namibia

We have a smooth journey north today on paved roads, a welcome break from yesterday’s “African massage” on gravel! Namibia’s treasures are endless, and even our return to Windhoek offers fascinating sights.

Around 80 km from Keetmanshoop, look west to spot the Brukkaros peak – a truly unusual volcano formed 180 million years ago. Imagine molten magma encountering an underground lake, triggering a massive steam explosion! This unique event left behind a hollow cave, a collapsed caldera, and a towering 1,590-meter peak. While Brukkaros is too far for a stop, it’s a captivating landmark.

Our journey continues north, and at the 150 km mark, we pass a signpost for Gibeon. Another intriguing story awaits! Here, in prehistoric times, a massive meteor struck the Earth, fragmenting in the atmosphere and scattering molten metal across the landscape. Meteorites from this event have been found as far as Brukkaros and beyond! If you have time in Windhoek, keep an eye out for the Gibeon Meteorites displayed at Post Street Mall.

We’ll continue north through Mariental and Rehoboth, stopping for a delicious lunch break along the way. Our aim is to arrive back in Windhoek by late afternoon, where a shuttle service awaits to take you comfortably to your city accommodation.

Distance: 500 km

Onward Travel Plans

Due to circumstances beyond our control while on tour (such as border crossings, traffic, breakdowns and delays, etc), the end time on the last day cannot be guaranteed. Therefore we strongly recommend you stay the night and fly out the next day. Please consult with your booking consultant.