7 Day Southern Namibia Safari

Day 1, Monday Depart Windhoek and drive to the Kalahari Desert, via the small town of Rehoboth, a community that still lives according to their paternal laws dating back to 1872. The Kalahari Desert is not a desert in the strictest sense of the word, as it receives too much rainfall. It’s only the vast expanses of sand, through which precipitation filters rapidly, leaving nothing on the surface, that have made the Kalahari into the “thirst land” that early European settlers described. Enjoy a scenic, sunset nature drive in an open safari vehicle before dinner. [Dinner] Day 2, Tuesday After breakfast, drive through the Kalahari region and visit the Quiver Tree Forest near Keetmanshoop. The forest was declared a national monument of Namibia and comprises of about 250 specimens of Aloe dichotoma, from which the San people used to make quivers. A short stop will be made in Keetmanshoop, with lunch en route that will be for your own account. Visit the Naute Dam, Namibia’s third largest dam. Stretch your legs with an easy walk to a nearby mountain and enjoy a complimentary drink as you watch the sunset. [Breakfast & Dinner] Day 3, Wednesday This morning we travel to the spectacular Fish River Canyon, the largest canyon in Africa. It features a gigantic ravine, in total about 160km long, up to 27km wide and in some places 550m deep. Our journey continues to Aus with lunch en route (for own account). You might see the desert adapted Wild Horses of the Namib. These horses hold an irresistible fascination, as they managed to adapt to the harsh conditions of the desert. Enjoy spectacular scenery of the Aus Mountains on an unguided walk and a scenic sun downer drive in the afternoon (for own account). [Breakfast & Dinner] Day 4, Thursday Today you’ll be spoilt with ever-changing vistas of the desert landscapes when driving along the most beautiful district road in Namibia, the D707 (road conditions permitting). Visit Duwiseb Castle, a grand medieval fortress, built in the hills of the semi-arid Southern Namib region. Learn more about the Castle’s fascinating history, before continuing to your lodge, arriving in the early afternoon. [Breakfast & Dinner] Day 5, Friday Today will be an early start to explore the spectacular towering dunes of Sossusvlei and Dead Vlei, another pan where water once flowed, but all that remains today are the skeletons of trees that reach up out of the cracked earth. Enjoy a drive in 4x4 vehicles into the heart of the Namib Desert. Visit the rugged Sesriem Canyon where you can view millions of years of sedimentary layers in the ravine walls. Views from the top are breathtaking while walks through the canyon reveal distinct geographical layers which were laid down over centuries. Travel past the impressive Namib Naukluft Mountains to your lodge. [Breakfast & Dinner] Day 6, Saturday After breakfast, drive through Kuiseb Canyon and continue towards Walvis Bay, Namibia’s largest commercial port. Enjoy an opportunity for lunch in Walvis Bay (for own account). The Walvis Bay Lagoon is considered one of the richest and most important wetlands in southern Africa, with prolific birdlife and diverse species. Our journey continues to Swakopmund, a city that resembles a small German town, with seaside promenades, restaurants, cafes and museums. Enjoy a sun downer drive to the Moon Landscape, a barren, undulating rocky desert which was formed by the valleys of the Swakop River. Enjoy a complimentary sun downer drink, whilst absorbing the rugged beauty of this lunar landscape. [Breakfast & Dinner] Day 7, Sunday (Unguided) Explore the quaint town of Swakopmund (unguided) in the morning. After an early lunch (for own account), continue inland towards the towns of Usakos and Karibib. A short visit to a craft market in Okahandja is made. The tour ends on arrival in Windhoek during the late afternoon. Alternatively stay two additional nights in Swakopmund and join the Northern Namibia Odyssey. [Breakfast]