Sossusvlei – Coast | 5 Days

This morning Camilot Tours and Safaris will collect you from your various accommodation or from the Hosea Kutako International Airport (land before 10h00). You then depart Windhoek in your safari vehicle with your private guide and drive southwest through the scenic Khomas Hochland highlands before heading down the Great Escarpment into the Namib Desert below, you proceed to the lodge along the scenic location on your way. You arrive at Dead Valley Lodge in the late afternoon, and you will stay here for two nights whilst you explore the remarkable sights of the Namib Desert with your guide. If there is still time today, your guide will take you to visit Sesriem Canyon, a nearby geological attraction, or explore Elim Dune. However, if you prefer, you can just relax and soak in the scenic and tranquil surroundings at Dead Valley Lodge.

Sesriem Canyon:
Sesriem Canyon has evolved through centuries of erosion by the Tsauchab River which has incised a
narrow gorge about 1.5 km long and 30 meters deep into the surrounding conglomerates, exposing the
varying layers of sedimentation deposited over millions of years. The shaded cool depths of the canyon
allow pools of water to gather during the rainy season and remain for much of the year round. These
pools were a vital source of water for early settlers who drew water for their livestock by knotting six
(ses) lengths of rawhide thongs (riems) together, hence the canyon and surrounding area became
known as Sesriem.

Dead Valley Lodge:
Dead Valley lodge opened in July 2019 and is situated inside the Namib Naukluft Park, in-between the
park gate at Sesriem and Elim Dune. It is therefore next to the road leading down to the world-famous
Sossusvlei Dunes and “Deadvlei”. The lodge offers 20 free standing, climate-controlled luxury tented
chalets, each with adjoining bathroom and a panoramic view of the Namib Desert with towering red
sand dunes, rugged mountain ranges and arid desert savannahs. The lodge restaurant serves delicious
Namibian style meals, and guests can also relax in the picturesque bar by the swimming pool while
looking out over the local desert scenery towards Elim Dune.

Overnight: Dead Valley Lodge | Meal Basis: Lunch, Dinner + PM Sundowner Drive

This morning you will be waken up very early for a fascinated excursion with your guide in the Namib Naukluft National Park, normally setting off before sunrise to capture the dunes whilst the light is soft and shadows that you can notice the towering shapes and curves. This area boasts some of the highest free-standing sand dunes in the world and your guide will give you an insight on the formation of the Namib Desert and its myriad of attractive creatures and plants that have adapted to survive these harsh environs. Once you have explored Sossusvlei, Deadvlei and surrounding dune fields. You then return to Dead Valley Lodge in the early afternoon and the late afternoon can be spent to visit Sesriem Canyon afterwards if you haven’t already done it on previous day. The rest of the afternoon is at your leisure.

Sossusvlei:

This most frequently visited section of the massive 50,000 km² Namib Naukluft National Park has become known as Sossusvlei, famous for its towering apricot coloured sand dunes which can be reached by following the Tsauchab River valley. Sossusvlei itself is actually a clay pan set amidst these star shaped dunes which stand up to 300 meters above the surrounding plains, ranking them among the tallest dunes on earth. The deathly white clay pan contrasts against the orange sands and forms the endpoint of the ephemeral Tsauchab River, within the interior of the Great Sand Sea. The river course rises south of the Naukluft Mountains in the Great Escarpment. It penetrates the sand sea for some 55 km before it finally peters out at Sossusvlei, about the same distance from the Atlantic Ocean. Until the encroaching dunes blocked its course around 60,000 years ago, the Tsauchab River once reached the sea; as ephemeral rivers still do in the northern half of the Namib.

Sand-locked pans to the west show where the river previously flowed to before dunes shifted its endpoint to where it currently gathers at Sossusvlei. Roughly once a decade rainfall over the catchment area is sufficient to bring the river down in flood and fill the pan. On such occasions the mirror images of dunes and camel thorn trees around the pan are reflected in the water. Sossusvlei is the biggest of four pans in the vicinity. Another, famous for its gnarled and ghostly camel thorn trees, is Deadvlei which can be reached on foot over 1 km of sand. Deadvlei’s striking camel thorn trees, dead for want of water, still stand erect as they once grew. They survived until about 900 years ago when the sand sea finally blocked the river from occasionally flooding the pan.

Sossusvlei(Big Daddy Dune)

Deadvlei

Overnight: Dead Valley Lodge | Meal Basis: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner + AM Sossusvlei Excursion + PM Nature Drive

The fascinating drive today takes you northwest through awesome and ever-changing desert landscapes of the Namib Naukluft National Park, including the impressive Gaub and Kuiseb canyons. You will meet the coast at the port town of Walvis Bay and then continue north to Swakopmund where you can enjoy the pleasant seaside location and cooler coastal air for your next two nights. There will be time this afternoon to explore the town and wander along the waterfront on foot, before heading off for dinner at a popular restaurant which specializes in locally harvested seafood.

Swakopmund:

Swakopmund resembles a small, German coastal resort nestled between the desert and the sea. It boasts a charming combination of German colonial architecture blended with modern hotels, shops, restaurants, museums, craft centres, galleries and cafés. Swakopmund had its beginnings as a landing station in 1892 when the German Imperial Navy erected beacons on the site. Settlers followed and made attempts to create a harbour town by constructing a concrete Mole and then an iron jetty – which attempts were ultimately unsuccessful. The advent of World War one halted developments, and the town sank into decline until half a century later when infrastructure improved and an asphalt road opened between Windhoek and Swakopmund. This made reaching the previously isolated town quicker and easier and it prospered once again to become Namibia’s premier resort town. Although the sea is normally cold for swimming there are pleasant beaches and the cooler climate is refreshing after time spent in the desert.

Swakopmund

Quad Biking

Cornerstone Guesthouse:

Cornerstone Guesthouse is a small, private and peaceful bed & breakfast located in a quiet corner of Swakopmund. With an easy walk to Swakopmund’s seafront, Palm Beach and the newly renovated National Marine Aquarium, you’ll be minutes away from vibrant café’s, restaurants, lively pubs, and a variety of interesting shops and markets in the town.

Overnight: Cornerstone Guesthouse | Meal Basis: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner + PM 1 Hour Quad Biking Tour

Sandwich Harbour Tour

This morning you will be off to Walvisbay for your boat cruise to check in on time. Your guide will accompany you once there is space available. You will be drop of at the waterfront after having the most awesome sightings for the marine wildlife. You might be lucky to spot the humpback whale. You will enjoy Oysters, Sparkling wine, trademark platters with delicious snack and local brewed Namibia beer. You will return to the waterfront.

Whereby you will meet with your local guide for Sandwich Harbour. He will then collect you upon your arrival at waterfront after the morning boat cruise and will take you on breathtaking 4×4 ride towards the Sandwich Harbour to explore the stunning view on this tour. This drive will take you on magnificent scenic drive along the Walvis Bay Lagoon and the salt mines. If you are lucky you might spot some flamingos. You return to waterfront and meet with your private guide and you return to Swakopmund from Walvisbay after one of the remarkable activities and long day. You will freshen up for your dinner and the dinner is had at any of the local restaurants which your guide will choose.

Catamaran Boat Cruise:

We set sail daily from the Walvisbay Waterfront. Most of the visitors to Namibia travel to see exquisite landscapes and majestic wildlife. Yet, few ever consider Namibia’s maritime wildlife as part of their game safaris. At Catamaran Charters we change all that. On our educational dolphin and seal cruises, guests get front row seats to watch seals being boisterous and stand a good chance to be introduced to the eccentric –looking great white pelican and that is only the beginning. You will have an excellent chance of seeing at least one of the more common members of the Marine Big 5 as we are often accosted by Bottlenose, Heaviside and Dusky dolphins who look to satisfy their curiosity. The unconventional mola or sunfish is a highlight for many of our guests and we have had regular sightings of equally impressive leatherback Turtles. How better to round off a perfect morning with Oysters and Sparkling wine, followed by our trademark platters with savoury snacks, coffee/tea and cakes while we leisurely sail the South – Atlantic Namibian coastline. Since all four our catamarans are sailing catamarans, we enjoy letting guests enjoy the true experience of sailing. We frequently switch off the engines and hoist the sails – conditions permitting – and encourage guest to partake in the sailing experience by helping to rig the lines and setting the sails.

Catamaran Boat Cruise

Sandwich Harbour Tour:

Sand and sea, ocean and ancient sand dunes . . . if you are looking for a beyond epic adventure, our Sandwich Harbour Tour with 4×4 Experience is just for you! Begin your day, or end your day with a +- 6-hour, beautiful expedition! We offer both AM and PM tours, where our experienced guides and equipped 4×4’s will take you through the stunning dune landscape of Sandwich Harbour. With huge sand dunes and the Atlantic Ocean at your feet, you will have epic photo ops and magical memories to take home – Often described as ‘one of my most amazing experiences ever!’

Overnight: Cornerstone Guesthouse | Meal Basis: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner + AM Catamaran Dolphin Boat Cruise & PM Sandwich Harbour Tour

Today, on our return to Windhoek, we will pass by the marble and gold mines and visit Namibia’s largest craft market in Okahandja, the administrative centre of the Herero people. You will be dropped off at your accommodation in Windhoek just after lunch.

Meal Basis: Breakfast, Lunch