© Dana Allen / Wilderness Safaris

Discover Namibia’s South! This trip takes you through the spectacular sandscapes of the Kalahari Desert, to the majestic Fish River Canyon, into the historical town, Lüderitz nestled on the edge of the “Prohibited Diamond Area”. Admire the highest dunes in the world and enjoy the charm of Swakopmund, Namibia’s own romantic resort.

Day 1 Arrival in Windhoek Arrival at Hosea Kutako (Windhoek International) airport, where you will receive your rental  vehicle. Once you have sorted out all the formalities for your vehicle, drive to Windhoek, the capital city of Namibia. After checkin at the accommodation establishment, you will be taken on a city tour. Windhoek is a city of many contrasts. Modern skyscrapers blend with historic buildings dating from the turn of the century. Several buildings from the German colonial era have been preserved and restored to fulfil useful functions in the community today. Some of the sights you will see on your tour are the Ride Memorial, the Old Fort, the Parliament Building (also known as the ‘Ink Place’), the Lutheran Church, the Railway Station and many more. Overnight stay at Olive Grove Guesthouse - bed & breakfast.

Day 2 Windhoek - Mariental After breakfast departure from Windhoek and drive via Rehoboth, the centre of Namibia’s Baster community into the red dunes of the Kalahari Desert to the Bagatelle Kalahari Game Lodge. Late afternoon you can participate in a guided game drive to learn about the flora and fauna of the Kalahari Desert. Overnight at the Bagatelle Kalahari Game Lodge ’Strohbale’ rooms on dinner, bed & breakfast basis.

Day 3 Mariental - Fish River Canyon A full day’s journey takes you south through the desert-dominated landscapes to a picturesque Quiver Tree Forest. This prehistoric tree reaches skyward with graphically forked branches, their trunks peel and form intricate patterns as the tree matures, these are rewarding subjects to photograph. Giant’s Playground is an impressive jumble of massive boulders; a virtual maze where time can be spent wandering through the extensive rocky labyrinth. You proceed to Keetmanshoop and thereafter continue via the Naute Dam, to the Fish River Canyon, which is the second largest in the world. Overnight at the Canyon Lodge on a dinner, bed & breakfast basis.

Day 4 Fish River Canyon Today you can view the spectacular northern fringes of the Fish River Canyon from various vantage points. Here the impressive surrounding rock formation provides many interesting hours for enthusiastic nature lovers. Partake (optional) in one of the various activities offered by the lodge, i.e. sundowner drives, walks, horse riding and magical scenic flights over the canyon. Overnight at the Canon Lodge on a dinner, bed & breakfast basis.

Day 5 Fish River Canyon - Lüderitz The next leg of your journey takes you via the small historic village of Aus and through the vast barren expanse of the Prohibited Diamond Area, to Lüderitz. Lüderitz is renowned for its old-world charm and distinctly German colonial architecture. Set around the bay, with their original gables, winding stairwells, verandas, turrets and bay - and bow windows still intact, these buildings have a unique character. After a short sightseeing tour of Lüderitz, enjoy an afternoon excursion to the Diaz cross where the daring Portuguese sailors erected a stone pillar in the 1480’s. Overnight at The Nest Hotel on a bed & breakfast basis.

Day 6 Lüderitzbucht - Helmeringhausen After breakfast visit Kolmanskop, a ghost town that was abandoned over 40 years ago and now gives a fascinating insight into the area’s great diamond boom. A few of the buildings have been restored, but many are left exactly as they were, and now the surrounding dunes are gradually burying them. Again you have to travel through the Diamond Prohibited Area via Aus and Helmeringhausen to Farm Landsberg. Experience the daily life of a farmer in the south. Overnight stay at Farm Landsberg on a dinner, bed & breakfast basis.

Day 7 Helmeringhausen - Sossusvlei Today you travel through some of Namibia’s most spectacular sceneries. Vast expanses of yellow savannah are dotted with bushes and solitary camelthorn trees. Distant mountain ranges take on different nuances of purple and blue as the day progresses. En route you visit the Duwisib Castle, which was built by Baron von Wolff for his American wife Jayta in 1909. The furnishings and paintings were imported from Germany. Your destination is the Little Kulala Lodge. Situated south of the Sesriem gate at Sossusvlei, lies the private 21 000 hectare Kulala Wilderness Reserve, the closest reserve to Sossusvlei itself. Little Kulala is in prime location on the western side of the reserve. It offers magnificent dune scenery to the west and rugged Namib mountainous escarpment to the north and east with grassy plains and ‘fairy circles’ filling the space in between. Overnight at the Little Kulala Lodge on a full board basis including activities.

Day 8 Sossusvlei Activities are varied and numerous and include early morning guided game drives to the dunes (the journey takes you to the famous Sossusvlei, a clay pan surrounded by some of the highest sand dunes in the world), nature drives and walks on the private reserve. Day trips into the Namib Naukluft Mountains and early morning ballooning can be booked as an optional activity at an extra cost. Overnight at the Little Kulala Lodge on a full board basis including activities.

Little Kulala Lodge photo's (click on thumbnail to open larger picture in new window)

Day 9 Sossusvlei - Swakopmund The route takes you north via the Kuiseb Canyon to Swakopmund. Highlights en route include a drive to the ‘Moon Landscape’ and the ancient desert plant, ‘Welwitschia mirabilis’. This quaint desert town with its old-world charm and relaxed atmosphere hedged by desert and sea, is enhanced by lush green lawns and palm trees. Overnight at the Hansa Hotel on a bed & breakfast basis.

Day 10 and 11 Swakopmund Two days are spent in Swakopmund. The sweep of the coastline and desert hinterland offers many options for adventure and relaxation. Contact our office in Swakopmund for possible information of things to do or transport. Two overnight stays at the Hansa Hotel on a bed and breakfast basis.

Day 12 Swakopmund - Windhoek Return journey via Okahandja to Windhoek. Okahandja is an important centre for woodcarvers from the north. They practice their ancient skills at the Woodcarvers Market next to the main road. This is a good place to pick a last souvenir. Arrival in Windhoek with check in at the Olive Grove. Overnight at the Olive Grove on a bed & breakfast basis.

Day 13 Windhoek - Departure Depending on the departure time of your flight, you will have time for some last minute shopping before driving to Windhoek International Airport in time to drop off the rental keys, take care of all formalities before checkin on your outbound flight. Bid farewell to Namibia!

Prices...based on 2 sharing, include flights from London Gatwick to Windhoek

How to book...

Call us on 0845 003 2211 or 01543 258631 to check availability and make your booking.

This tour is ATOL Protected for your financial security - ATOL 3997