Sossusvlei Adventure

Day 1 : Windhoek

On arrival you will be met and transferred to your hotel in Windhoek. Namibia’s capital is a meeting place between Africa and Europe, the modern and the old. In the capital’s main street, well-preserved German colonial buildings are in sharp contrast with modern architectural styles, while Herero women in their traditional Victorian dresses mingle with executives dressed in the latest fashions.

Day 2 : Windhoek > Sossusvlei area

Today you will journey southwest with your guide through the Khomas Hochland highlands and descend the Great Escarpment into the Namib Desert, pausing for a scenic picnic lunch en route. By mid-afternoon, reach Camp Sossus for a two-night stay, immersing yourself in the desert’s marvels. The afternoon offers an optional exploration, possibly on foot, culminating in sundowners with sweeping views of the expansive desert plains.

Camp Sossus, nestled in the private 24,000 ha Namib Tsaris Conservancy, is a brief drive from the Sossusvlei gate, entry to the Great Namib Sand Sea, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Crafted within a natural amphitheatre of a south-facing granite outcrop, the camp strategically shelters guests from the desert sun. Ingeniously designed with recycled materials, the camp boasts stylish tents featuring en suite facilities, solar power, and unique star beds, preserving an authentic ‘under canvas’ experience. Activities include guided visits to Sossusvlei, nature walks, drives, mountain biking, and magical moments in desert pools.

Day 3 : Sossusvlei area

Embark on an early expedition to Sossusvlei in Namib Naukluft National Park to witness the dunes bathed in soft morning light, revealing their majestic shapes and intriguing shadows. Your guide unveils the secrets of the Namib Desert’s formation and the resilience of its unique plant and animal life. Explore the towering apricot-hued dunes of Sossusvlei, Deadvlei, and the surrounding fields before indulging in a relaxed picnic brunch beneath the shade of a camel thorn tree. Return to camp for a relaxing afternoon break from the desert heat. Later, partake in a scenic nature drive or walk, immersing yourself in this vast ecosystem, culminating in a splendid safari sundowner.

Sossusvlei, the park’s famed area, showcases stunning dunes rising to 300 metres high, reachable through the Tsauchab River valley. The clay pan of Sossusvlei marks the river’s former endpoint, altered by shifting dunes over time. Deadvlei, home to haunting camel thorn trees, stands nearby, a poignant testament to the landscape’s transformation. About 900 years ago, the sand sea diverted the river, leaving these spectral trees amid the stark white clay pan. Occasionally, rainwater fills the pan, creating a stunning reflection of dunes and trees, a rare and captivating sight.

Day 4 : Sossusvlei area > Swakopmund

The fascinating drive today is northwest through the ever-changing desert landscapes of the Namib Naukluft National Park to 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 night. There will be time this afternoon to explore the town on foot.

Swakopmund resembles a small, German coastal resort nestled between the desert and the sea boasting a charming combination of German colonial architecture blended with hotels, shops, restaurants, museums, craft centers, galleries and cafés.

Day 5 : Swakopmund

Another day to enjoy the many attractions of Swakopmund, such as exploring the town’s shops and cafes, partaking in an adventure activity or joining a morning dolphin and seal catamaran cruise (all at additional expense).

Day 6 : Swakopmund > Windhoek

After an early breakfast, depending on your departure flight, you leave the coast behind and head inland via the small towns of Usakos, Karibib and Okahandja. Time depending, you can stop off for lunch en route and should arrive in Windhoek in the mid to late afternoon.