Wonders of the Desert

Your guide welcomes you to Namibia and after you have received a short tour briefing, you embark on your desert adventure. You begin heading south and soon leave the main road, in order to explore Namibia through its beautiful hinterlands. Namibia seldom has much traffic, but on these backroads you see almost no other vehicles. You will not get lost though, your guide knows the way. Once you start seeing the red dunes of the Kalahari, you will know that you are almost at your lodging for the night, the Bagatelle Kalahari Game Ranch. The rest of the afternoon is yours to spend as you please. The lodge offers numerous optional activities should you be interested.

A great way to start your day is with the optional San/Bushman “Bushman Walk” offered by the lodge. You learn about their ancient way of life and the survival skills passed down through generations, teaching them how to survive in the harsh Kalahari climate. Following breakfast, you make your way westwards through the Tsaris pass, towards the Namib-Naukluft region. You arrive at your accommodation, the Elegant Desert Camp, with enough time to still enjoy your surroundings or join the sundowner drive offered by the camp (optional). Upon your return to camp, dinner will almost be ready. It is even possible for you to sleep on your room’s balcony tonight if you wish. There certainly is no better way to enjoy the Namibian night sky above you.

You are up before the sun today and head out to the gate of the Namib-Naukluft Park. Once inside the park, you find a quiet dune, away from the other tourists and admire the beautiful morning light in the oldest desert in the world. This is also the perfect opportunity to have a breakfast picnic before making your way deeper into the park. You reach the Deadvlei/Sossusvlei area through the off-road track in your 4×4 vehicle. The dry clay pan of the Deadvlei, with its long dead camelthorn trees is surrounded by some of the highest dunes in the world and creates a surreal landscape. You also explore the Sesriem canyon, there is a path leading to the now dry riverbed at the bottom of the gorge which you can walk along. With many new sights and experiences to savour, you make your way back to your camp, where you can relax for the afternoon. A delicious three-course dinner awaits you in the evening.

After a hearty breakfast, your journey continues through the winding canyons of the Gaub and the Kuiseb. The scenery is often spectacular and your guide will show you the best lookout spots. As you make your way through the arid landscapes, a welcome sight awaits you on the horizon. You are driving towards the Atlantic Ocean’s coast. A stop at the Walvis Bay lagoon is scheduled, where you can spot flamingos before following the coast towards Swakopmund. Beautifully nestled between the desert and the sea, you have the rest of the day to explore this unique little seaside town. In the evening, you are encouraged to try one of the many good restaurants on offer (optional). Overnight lodging is at the Organic Stay Guesthouse.

After breakfast, you leave the coast behind and return inland. Along the way, you visit the impressive Spitzkoppe Mountains. At the mountains, a local guide will show you some of the best preserved, prehistoric artworks found in the area. Created by local San/Bushmen thousands of years ago, your guide will explain the meanings behind many of these paintings. Further on, you can also make a stop in Okahandja, where you can buy some hand-made, souvenirs from the woodcarvers’ market.  As you return to Windhoek, your 4×4 desert tour in Namibia comes to an end. You are brought to either your next lodge or the Windhoek airport with a new love for Namibia’s deserts.