$7,018 pp (USD)
2 travelers on Start dateArrival
Arrival
Day 1
The Kalahari Desert
The Kalahari Desert
After meeting your guide in Windhoek or airport you will head southwards past towns of Rehoboth and Mariental. This is a 4-hour drive from Windhoek including photo/scenery stops. We should be there for lunch and a bit of relaxation before the afternoon sundowner drive. Wildlife around this area include Greater Kudu, Hartebeest, Springbok, Eland, Giraffe, Steenbok, Blue Wildebeest, Ostrich among others.
- Main Destination:
- Mariental (Town)
- Accommodation:
- Kalahari Anib Lodge
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 2
Fish River Canyon
Fish River Canyon
This morning we will continue our journey further southwards towards the Fish River Canyon. Before stopping for lunch in a small town of Keetmanshoop, we go past the Quiver Forest and Giant’s Playground on our way to the Mesosaurus Fossil Site. The Quiver Forest is a dense stand of Aloe dichotoma trees. These trees occur in southern Namibia and northern Cape, but a few places are so many together. The Giant’s Playground consists of marvelous balancing dolerite (black granite) rocks. One would think they were put there by humans! This drive will take us to the Mesosaurus Fossil Site. We will see the fossils of the huge Mesosaurus that inhabited freshwater lakes of Gondwanaland (270 million years ago).
After lunch, we will proceed to our destination for the night, the Fish River. Our local guide will take you for an afternoon nature drive and a sundowner stop before you head to your camp that has been set up for you.
- Main Destination:
- Fish River Canyon (|Ai-|Ais/Richtersveld TP)
- Accommodation:
- Mid-range camping
Wildlife in |Ai-|Ais/Richtersveld TP
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 3
Fish River Canyon
Fish River Canyon
This morning your guide will take you on a small walk from the camp. On your return, your guide will set up breakfast after which you will depart on a morning drive that takes you back to the lodge, arriving around mid-day for lunch. The Under-Canvas Sleep-out is a truly Namibian adventure that lets you experience the raw nature of the Gondwana Canyon Park, the second largest private protected area in Namibia. The remoteness of the Gondwana Canyon Park and therefore the absence of light pollution guarantees one of the darkest night skies in the world, making it ideal for stargazing. The experience you get from sitting around the fire at night in this vast landscape and the sounds of nature that travel through the crisp night air is unbeatable. In the afternoon we will visit the Fish River Canyon. This canyon is the least visited Africa’s wonders, stretching about 160km and 550 meters at its deepest, it is arguably second in size to Arizona’s Grand Canyon.
- Main Destination:
- Fish River Canyon (|Ai-|Ais/Richtersveld TP)
- Accommodation:
- Canyon Lodge
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 4
Lüderitz
Lüderitz
After a relaxed morning and breakfast, we will drive and spend a night in Lüderitz. We should be in time for one to enjoy a stroll around this truly unique coastal town of Namibia. Lüderitz is famous for its delicious fresh seafood, the west-coast rock lobster (locally known as crayfish), oysters and much-sought-after delicacy Abalone. Enjoy dinner if one is a seafood fanatic.
- Main Destination:
- Lüderitz (Town)
- Accommodation:
- Luderitz Nest Hotel
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 5
Aus Town
Aus Town
This morning we will visit Diaz Point and the Ghost Town of Kolmanskop before leaving for small little town of Aus. At the Diaz Point is a replica of Bartolomeu Dias, a famous Portuguese explorer who initially named the area Angra Pequena in 1487 before was renamed Lüderitz in honor of Adolf Lüderitz in 1884. Birding is also excellent here. The Ghost Town of Kolmanskop is situated in the Sperrgebiet National Park. In 1908, a local worker found a diamond then the town developed quickly with influx of fortune hunters. By 1915, it had a butchery, bakery, furniture factory, soda water and lemon plant. It became one of the richest towns in the world. After lunch here, we will make our way to Aus, past a place where if lucky we will see the Desert Wild Horses. There is still a mystery of their origin and several theories have been put up. We have a leisurely afternoon at Aus, which a meeting point 3 main ecological Biomes, the Succulent Karoo, the Namib Karoo and the Namib Desert.
- Main Destination:
- Aus (Town)
- Accommodation:
- Eagle's Nest Chalets Klein-Aus Vista
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 6
Sossusvlei
Sossusvlei
After a relaxed morning and breakfast, we will make our way to Sossusvlei. It is quite a scenic drive past a couple of privately owned concessions and ranches with very low human population. Animals that might be seen on the way include Oryx, Hartmann’s Mountain Zebra, Giraffe, Plains Zebra, Springboks among others. Photographs are worthwhile because of the background where these animals will be. After lunch at one of the most isolated places “Deep in the South”, the Betta settlement, we will continue our way to Sossusvlei for the night.
- Main Destination:
- Sossusvlei (Sand Dunes)
- Accommodation:
- Dead Valley Lodge
Wildlife in Namib-Naukluft NP
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 7
Sossusvlei
Sossusvlei
An early morning start will see us getting into the Namib Naukluft Park. Early morning light shining on the red sand dunes gives one great photographic opportunities and memories of the magnificent Namib Desert. The Namib desert has been arid for about 80 million years, with true desert conditions predominating the last 15 to 20 million years. Various wildlife thriving in this area includes Gemsbok, Springbok, Brown Hyaena, Black-backed Jackal among others. If lucky you might see the only true Namibia Endemic bird, the Dune Lark among various birds in this area. Depending on your energy levels, climbing one of the highest sand dunes in the area, the Big Daddy, is quite fun. A visit to the Dead Vlei is worthwhile. This a white clay pans with dry camel thorn trees that are believed to have been dead 800 years ago. During late afternoon, we will visit Sesriem Canyon. It is about kilometer long and 30 (100ft) meters deep and might have some water, quite important for animals to drink it.
- Main Destination:
- Sossusvlei (Sand Dunes)
- Accommodation:
- Dead Valley Lodge
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 8
Windhoek
Windhoek
An early morning start will see us embarking on a hot air balloon excursion in the Sossusvlei area. The best way to experience the heart of the Namib Desert is in a hot air balloon. Watch the sunrise over this stunning landscape from the silence of a hot air balloon. We will have a champagne breakfast in the midst of the red sand dunes. After this excursion, we take a scenic drive back to Windhoek.
- Main Destination:
- Windhoek (City)
- Accommodation:
- The Weinberg
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 9
Departure
Departure
Your guide will transfer you to the airport, where you will get your outbound flight. This marks the end of your Namibian Deep South expedition tour.
- Main Destination:
- Hosea Kutako International Airport (Windhoek)
- Accommodation:
- No accommodation (End of tour)
- Meals & Drinks:
